The action was taken after accusations that the company misled U.S. officials about its efforts to stop the sale of goods to sanctioned countries. The U.S. parts, officials said, were being put into products being sold to Iran and North Korea.

The U.S.-made parts however represent a large percentage of the parts the company uses to make its products. As a result, the company said it would have to shut down operations at its factory in the southern city of Shenzhen. The Associated Press reports that ZTE has more than 70,000 employees.

On its English language website, ZTE stated that the U.S. Commerce Department’s “denial order” would “severely impact the survival and development” of the company.

America First policy

Trump has accused Chinese trade policy of costing American workers jobs during the 2016 presidential campaign and as president.

In March, the U.S. placed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from China. The two sides have since exchanged threats to increase import taxes on a large number of goods.

Trump’s statements, however, appear to be an effort to ease tensions.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters that China appreciates the U.S. position. Lu said the two sides were discussing the issue.

U.S. and Chinese trade representatives are to hold talks this week in Washington. Vice Premier Liu He will visit the U.S. and is expected to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.

U.S. farmers face unsettling trade dispute

In the U.S., the widening trade dispute threatens to hurt American farmers at a time when they have just planted this year’s crops.

The U.S. is a major exporter of soybean to China but some farmers are concerned about the trade situation between the sides.

China has not put in place tariffs as part of a response to the recent U.S. measures. There are concerns, however, that China already has stopped buying soybeans from U.S. farmers.

A Chinese tariff on crops like soybeans could hurt farmers like Scott Halpin of Illinois. He told VOA, “Soybeans make up just under half of our crop rotation.”

Phil Flynn is a market expert with Price Futures Group, a company that provides financial advice.

He is not too concerned about loses in the soybean market. He told VOA, “They [China] have a lot more to lose than we do.”

China imports about 63 percent of the world’s exported soybeans. “There’s not a lot of places that can replace American soybeans in the near term,” Flynn noted.

Halpin, however, would like to know that there is a buyer for his crop.

“If China is buying from another country, somebody else is going to be looking for our soybeans. It would just be nice to have some stability,” he said.

I’m Mario Ritter.

Mario Ritter adapted this story for VOA Learning English. The story is based on reporting from Kane Farabaugh of VOA and the AP. Hai Do was the editor.

英解a state in which people, groups, countries, etc., disagree with and feel anger toward each other

term /ˈtɚm/ - n. 期限；任期；刑期；学期

英解the length of time during which a person has an official or political office; the length of time during which someone is in a prison, jail, etc.; the length of time during which something (such as a contract) continues; one of the parts of the school year

threat /ˈθrɛt/ - n. 威胁；恐吓

英解a statement saying you will be harmed if you do not do what someone wants you to do; someone or something that could cause trouble, harm, etc.; the possibility that something bad or harmful could happen

threaten /ˈθrɛtn̩/ - v. 威胁；恐吓

英解to say that you will harm someone or do something unpleasant or unwanted especially in order to make someone do what you want; to be something that is likely to cause harm to (someone or something); to be a threat to (someone or something)

threaten /ˈθrɛtn̩/ - n. 威胁；恐吓

trade /ˈtreɪd/ - n. 贸易；交易

英解the activity or process of buying, selling, or exchanging goods or services

treasury /ˈtrɛʒəri/ - n. 财政部

英解the government department that is in charge of handling a country's money

tweet /ˈtwiːt/ - n. 推文

英解a brief message that someone writes on the Internet using a service called Twitter

vice /ˈvaɪs/ - adj. 副的

英解used as part of the title of particular positions. The person who holds one of these positions is next below in authority to the person who holds the full position and can act for them

website /ˈweb.saɪt/ - n. 网站（=Web site）

英解a place on the World Wide Web that contains information about a person, organization, etc., and that usually consists of many Web pages joined by hyperlinks

widen /ˈwaɪdn̩/ - v. 变宽

wireless /ˈwajɚləs/ - adj. 无线的；无线电的

英解not using wires to send and receive electronic signals; sending and receiving electronic signals by using radio waves; of or relating to the use of radio waves to send and receive electronic signals

P01Tensions over trade between the United States and China have now involved telecommunications equipment and soybeans. 中美之间的贸易摩擦现在涉及到通讯设备和大豆。

要点

介词 over 在此句的含义等同于 about。

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equipment /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/ n. - 装备；设备

英解

supplies or tools needed for a special purpose

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involve /ɪnˈvɑːlv/ v. - 包含；涉及

英解

to have or include (someone or something) as a part of something

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over /ˈoʊvɚ/ prep. - 与…有关；关于；因为

英解

(referring to a cause of interest, worry, discussion, etc.) connected with or about

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soybean /ˈsoɪˌbiːn/ n. - 大豆；黄豆

英解

the bean of an Asian plant that contains a large amount of protein and that is used as a food

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telecommunications /ˌtɛlɪkəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃənz/ n. - 通信；通讯；电信

英解

the technology of sending and receiving signals, images, etc., over long distances by telephone, television, satellite, etc.

词注

常用复数形式。

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tension /ˈtɛnʃən/ n. - 紧张局势

英解

a state in which people, groups, countries, etc., disagree with and feel anger toward each other

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trade /ˈtreɪd/ n. - 贸易；交易

英解

the activity or process of buying, selling, or exchanging goods or services

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P02U.S. President Donald Trump surprised government officials on Sunday by offering to help a Chinese telecommunications company. 周日，美国总统特朗普提出帮助中国通讯公司，这令政府官员们惊讶不已。

要点

句型：offer to do sth，提出做某事。例句：One of his neighbors offered to mow his lawn. 他的一个邻居提出给他修草坪。

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company /ˈkʌmpəni/ n. - 公司

英解

a business organization that makes, buys, or sells goods or provides services in exchange for money

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复数形式为 companies。

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government /ˈgʌvɚmənt/ n. - 政府

英解

the group of people who control and make decisions for a country, state, etc.; a particular system used for controlling a country, state, etc.

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offer /ˈɑ:fɚ/ v. - 提出

英解

to say that you are willing to do something

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主动提出（做什么），表示愿意（去做什么）。

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official /əˈfɪʃəl/ n. - 官员

英解

a person who has a position of authority in a company, organization, or government

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Sunday /ˈsʌnˌdeɪ/ n. - 周日；星期天

英解

the day of the week between Saturday and Monday

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surprise /sɚˈpraɪz/ v. - 使诧异；使惊讶

英解

to surprise (someone or something); to cause (someone) to feel surprised

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P03Trump wrote on Twitter that he was looking for a way to let the Chinese company ZTE Corp. "get back into business fast." The tweet also said, "Too many jobs in China lost." 特朗普在推特上写道，他正在寻找一个让中兴“迅速恢复业务”的办法。这条推文还写道，“中国失去了太多工作岗位。”

要点

动词短语：look for sth，寻找什么。

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fast /ˈfæst/ adj., adv. - 快地；快的；快速地；快速的

英解

词注

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job /ˈʤɑ:b/ n. - 职位；工作；岗位

英解

the work that a person does regularly in order to earn money; a duty, task, or function that someone or something has

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tweet /ˈtwiːt/ n. - 推文

英解

a brief message that someone writes on the Internet using a service called Twitter

products that are made or grown in order to be sold; things that are owned by a person

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network /ˈnɛtˌwɚk/ n. - 网络

英解

a system of lines, wires, etc., that are connected to each other

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optical fiber /ˌɑːp.tɪ.kəl ˈfaɪ.bɚ/ n. - 光纤

英解

a long, thin, glass or plastic thread that carries information in the form of light

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part /ˈpɑɚt/ n. - 零部件

英解

one of the pieces that are put together to form a machine

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smartphone /ˈsmɑɚtˌfoʊn/ n. - 智能手机

英解

a mobile phone that can be used as a small computer and that connects to the internet

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wireless /ˈwajɚləs/ adj. - 无线的；无线电的

英解

not using wires to send and receive electronic signals; sending and receiving electronic signals by using radio waves; of or relating to the use of radio waves to send and receive electronic signals

词注

P06The action was taken after accusations that the company misled U.S. officials about its efforts to stop the sale of goods to sanctioned countries. 该公司被指控在落实停止向被制裁国家出售商品之事上误导了美国当局之后，随后即被采取行动。

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accusation /ˌækjəˈzeɪʃən/ n. - 控告；指控；指责

英解

a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal; a charge that someone has committed a fault or crime

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action /ˈækʃən/ n. - 行动；行为；动作

英解

something that you do; a physical movement

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effort /ˈɛfɚt/ n. - 努力

英解

physical or mental activity needed to achieve something

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mislead /ˌmɪsˈli:d/ v. - 误导；使误入岐途

英解

to cause (someone) to believe something that is not true

词注

过去式、过去分词为 misled。

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sanction /ˈsæŋkʃən/ v. - 处罚；制裁

英解

to impose a sanction or penalty upon

词注

P07The U.S. parts, officials said, were being put into products being sold to Iran and North Korea. 当局称，美国零部件被放入产品卖到伊朗和朝鲜。

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product /ˈprɑ:ˌdʌkt/ n. - 产品

英解

something that is made or grown to be sold or used

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sell /ˈsɛl/ v. - 销售；出售；售卖

英解

to exchange (something) for money

词注

P08The U.S.-made parts however represent a large percentage of the parts the company uses to make its products. 然而，该公司用来制造其产品的零部件之中，美国制造的零部件占了大部分比例。

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percentage /pɚˈsɛntɪʤ/ n. - 百分比；比例

英解

a number or rate that is expressed as a certain number of parts of something divided into 100 parts

词注

P09As a result, the company said it would have to shut down operations at its factory in the southern city of Shenzhen. 该公司因此声称，他们不得不关停其南方城市——深圳的工厂的运转。

要点

动词短语：have to do sth，不得不做什么。shut down sth，关闭什么。

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factory /ˈfæktəri/ n. - 工厂

英解

a building or group of buildings where products are made

词注

复数形式 factories。

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operation /ˌɑ:pəˈreɪʃən/ n. - 运作；运转

英解

an activity of a business or organization

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southern /ˈsʌðɚn/ adj. - 南方的

英解

located in or toward the south; of or relating to the south

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P10The Associated Press reports that ZTE has more than 70,000 employees. 美联社报道称，中兴拥有超过7万名员工。

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employee /ɪmˌploɪˈi:, ɪmˈploɪˌi:/ n. - 员工

英解

a person who works for another person or for a company for wages or a salary

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report /rɪˈpoɚt/ v. - 报告；报道；报到；传闻；举报

英解

to give a description of something or information about it to someone

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P11On its English language website, ZTE stated that the U.S. Commerce Department's "denial order" would "severely impact the survival and development" of the company. 中兴公司在其英文网站上表示，美国商务部的“拒令”将会“严重影响其生存与发展。”

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denial /dɪˈnajəl/ n. - 否定；拒绝接受

英解

a statement saying that something is not true or real; a condition in which someone will not admit that something sad, painful, etc., is true or real

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development /dɪˈvɛləpmənt/ n. - 发展；开发；生长

英解

the act or process of growing or causing something to grow or become larger or more advanced; the act or process of creating something over a period of time

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impact /ˈɪmˌpækt/ v. - 影响；冲击

英解

to have a strong and often bad effect on (something or someone); to hit (something) with great force

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language /ˈlæŋgwɪʤ/ n. - 语言

英解

the system of words or signs that people use to express thoughts and feelings to each other; any one of the systems of human language that are used and understood by a particular group of people

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severely /səˈviɚ/ adv. - 严重地

英解

very bad, serious, or unpleasant

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state /ˈsteɪt/ v. - 陈述；说明；阐明

英解

to express (something) formally in speech or writing

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survival /sɚˈvaɪvəl/ n. - （继续）生存；存活；幸存

英解

the state or fact of continuing to live or exist especially in spite of difficult conditions

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website /ˈweb.saɪt/ n. - 网站（=Web site）

英解

a place on the World Wide Web that contains information about a person, organization, etc., and that usually consists of many Web pages joined by hyperlinks

词注

P12Trump has accused Chinese trade policy of costing American workers jobs during the 2016 presidential campaign and as president. 特朗普在2016总统竞选期间以及上任总统之后，指责中国贸易政策致使美国工人失业。

an amount of money that a government requires people to pay according to their income, the value of their property, etc., and that is used to pay for the things done by the government

词注

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threat /ˈθrɛt/ n. - 威胁；恐吓

英解

a statement saying you will be harmed if you do not do what someone wants you to do; someone or something that could cause trouble, harm, etc.; the possibility that something bad or harmful could happen

词注

P15Trump's statements, however, appear to be an effort to ease tensions. 然而，特朗普的声明似乎是在努力缓和紧张态势。

要点

句型：an effort to do sth，为了做某事而做出的努力。

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appear /əˈpiɚ/ v. - 看似

英解

to seem to be something

词注

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ease /ˈi:z/ v. - 缓和；缓解

英解

to make (something) less painful; to make (tension, a problem, etc.) less severe or troubling

词注

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statement /ˈsteɪtmənt/ n. - 陈述；声明

英解

something that you say or write in a formal or official way; something that is stated

to recognize how good someone or something is and to value him, her, or it

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ministry /ˈmɪnəstri/ n. - （政府的）部

英解

a government department or the building in which it is located

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position /pəˈzɪʃən/ n. - 态度；立场

英解

an opinion or judgment on a particular subject

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reporter /rɪˈpoɚtɚ/ n. - 记者；通讯员

英解

a person who writes news stories for a newspaper, magazine, etc., or who tells people the news on radio or television

词注

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spokesman /ˈspoʊksmən/ n. - 发言人；代言人

英解

someone who speaks for or represents a person, company, etc.

词注

P17Lu said the two sides were discussing the issue. 陆表示，双方正在讨论这个问题

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discuss /dɪˈskʌs/ v. - 讨论；谈论；论述

英解

to talk about (something) with another person or group; to give information, ideas, opinions, etc., about (something) in writing or speech

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issue /ˈɪˌʃu:/ n. - 问题；议题

英解

something that people are talking about, thinking about, etc.

词注

P18U.S. and Chinese trade representatives are to hold talks this week in Washington. 中美贸易代表将于本周在华盛顿举行会谈。

要点

句型：be to do sth，将来时态，表达将做什么。

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hold /ˈhoʊld/ v. - 举行；举办

英解

词注

过去式、过去分词：held。

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representative /ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪv/ n. - 代表；议员

英解

someone who acts or speaks for or in support of another person or group; a member of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress or of a state government

词注

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talk /ˈtɑ:k/ n. - 交谈；谈话；会谈

英解

an occurrence in which one person talks about something with another person; a conversation or discussion

词注

P19Vice Premier Liu He will visit the U.S. and is expected to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. 刘鹤副总理将访问美国，预计与财政部长斯蒂芬·努钦会晤。

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expect /ɪkˈspɛkt/ v. - 预料；预期；期待

英解

to think that something will probably or certainly happen

词注

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premier /prɪˈmiɚ/ n. - 总理；首相

英解

the head of the government in some countries

词注

= prime minister，常缩写为 PM。

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secretary /ˈsɛkrəˌteri/ n. - （美国政府部门）部长

英解

an official who is selected by the President and is in charge of a particular department of the government

词注

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treasury /ˈtrɛʒəri/ n. - 财政部

英解

the government department that is in charge of handling a country's money

词注

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vice /ˈvaɪs/ adj. - 副的

英解

used as part of the title of particular positions. The person who holds one of these positions is next below in authority to the person who holds the full position and can act for them

词注

P20In the U.S., the widening trade dispute threatens to hurt American farmers at a time when they have just planted this year's crops. 在美国，正值农民刚刚种下今年作物之际，日益扩大的贸易争端威胁伤害他们。

要点

表达技巧：模仿本句 widening，学用 the + 动词 + ing 这种形式，作为形容词，表达日益……。比如，the growing population，日益增长的人口。学用 at a time when ... 这种句型表达正值什么之际。

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crop /ˈkrɑ:p/ n. - 农作物；庄稼

英解

a plant or plant product that is grown by farmers

词注

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dispute /dɪˈspju:t/ n. - 争议；争端

英解

a disagreement or argument

词注

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farmer /ˈfɑɚmɚ/ n. - 农民；农场主

英解

a person who runs a farm

词注

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hurt /ˈhɚt/ v. - 伤害；损害

英解

to do harm to (someone or something); to affect (someone or something) in a bad or harmful way

词注

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plant /ˈplænt/ v. - 栽种；种植

英解

to put (a seed, flower, or plant) in the ground to grow

词注

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threaten /ˈθrɛtn̩/ v. - 威胁；恐吓

英解

to say that you will harm someone or do something unpleasant or unwanted especially in order to make someone do what you want; to be something that is likely to cause harm to (someone or something); to be a threat to (someone or something)

词注

P21China has not put in place tariffs as part of a response to the recent U.S. measures. 中国尚未启用关税作为对美国近期举措的部分回应。

要点

固定短语：in place，词义详见单词讲解。

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in place adv., adj. - 就位；生效

英解

in the proper position; in the state of being used or active

词注

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measure /ˈmɛʒɚ/ n. - 措施；议案

英解

an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result

词注

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recent /ˈri:sn̩t/ adj. - 新近的；最近的

英解

happening or beginning not long ago

词注

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response /rɪˈspɑ:ns/ n. - 回复；回答；响应

英解

something that is said or written as a reply to something; something that is done as a reaction to something else

词注

P22There are concerns, however, that China already has stopped buying soybeans from U.S. farmers. 然而，人们担心中国已经开始停止从美国农民手中购买大豆。

要点

句型：stop doing sth，停止做某事。

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stop /ˈstɑ:p/ v. - 停止；停下来

英解

词注

注意过去式是stopped，不是stoped。

P23A Chinese tariff on crops like soybeans could hurt farmers like Scott Halpin of Illinois. He told VOA, "Soybeans make up just under half of our crop rotation." 中国对诸如大豆这类作物施加关税会损害像伊利诺伊斯的斯科特-哈平这样的农民。他接受VOA采访时说，“大豆占了我们作物轮作的差不多近一半。”

要点

动词短语：make up，占据。学习近一半的新表达：just under half of。

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rotation /roʊˈteɪʃən/ n. - （农作物）轮作

英解

the act by farmers of regularly changing which crops they grow in a field

词注

常见固定短语：crop rotation，作物轮作。

P24Phil Flynn is a market expert with Price Futures Group, a company that provides financial advice. 菲尔-福林是金融咨询机构 Price Futures Group 的市场专家。

要点

职位 + with + 机构，表达某个人的就职单位。

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advice /ədˈvaɪs/ n. - 劝告；忠告；意见

英解

an opinion or suggestion about what someone should do

词注

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expert /ˈɛkˌspɚt/ n. - 专家

英解

a person who has special skill or knowledge relating to a particular subject

词注

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financial /fəˈnænʃəl/ adj. - 财政的；金融的

英解

relating to money

词注

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market /ˈmɑɚkət/ n. - 市场；集市

英解

a place where products are bought and sold; a store where foods and often household items are sold; an area (such as a country or part of a country) where a product or service can be sold

词注

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provide /prəˈvaɪd/ v. - 提供；供应；供给

英解

to make (something) available; to supply (something that is wanted or needed); to give something wanted or needed to (someone or something)

词注

P25He is not too concerned about losses in the soybean market. 他对大豆市场的损失不是那么担心。

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concerned /kənˈsɚnd/ adj. - 担心的；关心的

英解

feeling worry or concern; having an interest or involvement in something

词注

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loss /ˈlɑːs/ n. - 损失

英解

词注

P26He told VOA, "They (China) have a lot more to lose than we do." 他接受VOA采访时表示，“他们比我们可损失的更多。”